What is 6/11 - 1/7?

Here's how to subtract 1/7 from 6/11:

6

11

−

1

7

Step 1

We can't subtract two fractions with different denominators. So you need to get a common denominator. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 6 by 7, and get 42.

Then we multiply 1 by 11, and get 11.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 11 × 7 = 77.

So now our fractions look like this:

42

77

−

11

77

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

42 − 11 = 31

So the answer is:

31

77

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?